Revielle shellhole

*PLANNING FOR MOTH FUNERALS, MEMORIAL SERVICES AND WEDDINGS*

*HONOUR GUARDS AND SERVICE FORMAT*
* PLAN ALL MOTH EVENTS USING THIS FIVE POINT MILITARY FORMAT*

. -Situation –Mission-Execution-Administration/Logistics-Command and Signal-.

*The jobs not done till the paperwork is finished*
*PRE-PLANNING MOTH SERVICES*.

*Information collected that may be required*

Obtain the following information and record as a check-list cross-off when actioned.

Make record of:-

Deceased Moths full names and relationship with person advising of the death.

Date day and venue of intended Funeral, Memorial, Church service etc.

Venue, Denomination, Street Address, Town or City.-(contact person and phones)-

Funeral Parlors Title-street address- town or city and (contact persons and phones)-.

Who to compile? - Church or funeral parlor

Who and how will the above detail be advised on a need to know basis?

RSVPs to who and how.

*Where possible suggest a Friday service ensures a better and larger attendance*.

Who will officiate at services? - Priest, Pastor or Reverent Rabbi etc?

*Is funeral payments to-hand –ie. Insurance, medical aid or is help required?

Eulogy - If so who? - or is help required?

displayed on the coffin?

Who are the pallbearers? Family, Friends or Shellhole MOTH

Names and relationship

Who-What-When-Where-Why and HOW are key questions ensuring good methods

Coffins are customarily wheeled into the venue head-first-foot faces congregation.

MOTH flag draped over the coffin equally hung on all sides. -Rope side at foot-..

MOTH tin-hat and candle positioned centrally over the flags tin-hat logo.

-Nb Remember to take candle and matches with you.*Only Matches to be used*.

Old Bill and Adjutant stand to attention at the head of the coffin their backs to the altar

MOTHS form-up in a semi-circle facing the congregation standing at attention.

*Where large MOTH numbers attend additional ranks are added to the semi-circle*. Eulogy usually delivered by a family member, friend or MOTH tasked to do so.

Adjutant delivers the first allocated ritual from crib notes unless able to recite.

Old Bill delivers his allocated ritual using the crib notes unless he is able to recite.

Sgt/Maj duties usually include Master of Ceremony tasks or a delegated MOTH.

MOTH on opposites sides of the coffin simultaneously place a poppy – pause - MOTH salute – pause – fall-out and take up previous position in. guard of honour outside. Sgt/Maj ensures all MOTHS are in position before calling attention, Old Bill calls MOTH salute and drop salute or delegates previous Old Bill if not available.

Nb Old Bill is positioned close to the venue entrance to be able to call the MOTH salute and drop-salute when either coffin or family have suitably entered or exited the venue through the two column guard of honour at appropriate timings.

Sgt/Maj gives the fall-out and form-up at the hearse where applicable.

All form-up either side of the hearse. Each MOTH bringing themselves to attention giving the MOTH salute individually, this while the pallbearers are loading the coffin into the hearse.

When the hearse has departed Sgt/Maj will give order ‘drop salute’ also any last instructions applicable before falling out the parade to cemetery or refreshments or wake.

Sgt/Maj will then order - ‘Parade drop salute- fall-out’.

*Usually tea and refreshments are served at church venues.

*Customary MOTH wakes are always held at Reveille Shellhole*



*MOTH WEDDINGS*.

Only a MOTH guard of honour applies at a MOTH wedding

. *Any additional MOTH participation is a Bride and Groom choice*
*SOME CHURCH PARADE FORMATS*

The following are some Reveille historic parade formats the writer evolved specifically for his use as District and Reveille Sgt/Maj. -What follows may help others in the future-.

*CHURCH PARADES OF DISTRICT STRENGTH OF 50 PLUS MOTHS*

Years ago Delville Wood Parades were held at the Methodist Church in Northmead Benoni then a tradition at Reveille. Delville Wood parades changed venue to Cosy Corner Brakpan as a result of Far East Rand District being absorbed into ‘our’ East Rand District This occurrence came about due to diminishing MOTH numbers on the Far East Rand.

Reveille now attend Cosy Corner Shellhole for the annual Delville Wood parades since this writer organized their 2006 parade as organizing Chairman and serving as Parade Sgt/Maj while still East Rand District Sgt/Maj for life) A bout of ill health changed this intention. At this time also Reveille Old Bill for the year 2006 to 2007.

*PREVIOUS METHODIST CHURCH PARADE FORMAT*

The following parade format was used enabling a large number of MOTH to arrive at this church venue smartly enbloc as very few wives attended those parade for whatever reason. MOTH accompanied by their wives sat separately from the MOTHS This church allocated the MOTH our own exclusive area at these services every year...

*DRILL FORMAT*

*Methodist Church Parade Northmead Benoni on closest Sunday to 16^th July yearly*

Sgt/Maj forms up the attending MOTH in three ranks as per the following format

District Old Bill takes up his position as ‘Column-of-route Commander two paces ahead of the MOTH Company in conventional three ranks, his three executives take up their positions two paces to the side of each right hand marker of the three ranks.

Sgt/Maj positions the Old Bill two paces ahead of his executives in line with the centre rank..- ie Commander, executive and company standing in review order-

*

The Sgt/Maj briefs only the MOTH Executive and each Right-hand marker form three ranks. The executive head each rank.

. There is no need to brief all the MOTHS on parade as soldiers follow instructions ie by following whoever is in front of them in this instance the Executive to their front. .

*

Nb Sgt/Maj speaks loudly and slowly enough to ensure understanding

M

OTH at the time had not been parade drilled for 20 to 30 years. Allowance is made for all eventualities including allowance for those with poor eye sight. Only executive briefing is necessary as ‘Troops’ follow instructions led by executive members at all MOTH parades.

At briefing conclusion. Sgt/Maj asks-‘Are there any questions’

-(Any questions asked are answered for the sake of clarity)-

Sgt/Maj - One rank at a time will be instructed to briskly march towards the church. The District Old Bill and his executive leading the centre rank all marching in unison..

Then the rear rank will be instructed to follow the centre rank

Last to conform to the above format is the front rank

Sgt/Maj continues- The key is our MOTH smartness and pride.

Sgt/Maj ‘You will all march directly at the front door in single-file.

Once inside the church observe two side doors, enter through the right door...

Sgt/Maj- Are there any questions? -Questions answered-

‘Those of you with family already inside the church will break to join your family’.

‘The front right hand side six pews are reserved for MOTH’.

‘The front pew is for MOTH Executives use’-

-‘The rest of us will take-up the remaining seats-’

Are there any questions? –Parade –Attention- Front rank- by the front quick march.

Centre rank by the front quick march –Rear rank by the front quick march.

The Ministers usually give a war type service mentioning Delville Wood 1914-18 war

. The MOTH service begins when the Minister calls the District Old Bills to lead the Form up in front of the executive who will stand on the raised stage facing the congregation in two or three ranks for the MOTH ritual and MOTH prayer.

D.O.B. calls the MOTH salute and performs MOTH ritual

‘With bowed heads in true thanks-giving let us remember our elder brethren.

They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old,

age shall not weary them nor the years condemn,

at the going down of the sun and the morning.

*We Will Remember Them*

‘District Old Bill’

I shall pass this world but once

Any good therefore that I may do or any kindness that I may show my fellow man,

Let me not defer it or neglect it,

For I shall not pass his way again.

MOTH Drop salute.

After the DOB’s conclusion, MOTH file-out in their own time to refreshment area.

*PREVIOUS BENONI REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADES.*

Previously Remembrance Day Parades were held at the Benoni City Hall every year from 1946 until 2006. That year the writer was both Old Bill of Reveille Shellhole also East Rand District Sgt/Maj at this last City hall parade. MOTH Reveille was advised that this venue was no longer available to us for Remembrance days Parades.

All appeals to Benoni Council to have this decision reversed having fallen on deaf ears.
*CURRENT REMEMBERANCE DAY PARADES*

Reveille Shellhole has since hosted Remembrance Day Parades at ‘MOTH CENTER’ The Official name given to our home by MOTH ‘O’ during his 1947 visit to Benoni shortly after its completion. He was most impressed with our MOTH predecessors achievements building this outstanding structure working mostly during their own time.

*MOTH BOOK-KEEPING HAS OFTEN BECOME A NEGLECTED PRIORITY*

MOTH GHQ initiated the use of ‘Smart-Edge’ accounting system some years ago with on-line banking a mandatory requirement. Province previously ran special courses on Smart Edge for Pay Bills and those interested. Theoretical printed material is available on a need to know basis. Executive members should avail themselves of the opportunity to become conversant with this system. *One can not do what one does not understand*

*PLEASE UNDERSTAND! STANDING MOTH ORDERS DO NOT CHANGE*.

ie NO ADDITIONS OR SUBTRACTIONS ARE PERMITTED TO MOTH STANDING

ORDERS OUR CONSTITUTION OR TRADITIONS RITES AND RITUALS.

eg Accounting requirements:- THREE SEPARATE QUOTES MUST BE OBTAINED IN ADVANCE FOR ALL WORK INTENDED FOR APPROVAL BY SHELLHOLE CORUM OF MOTH IN GOOD STANDING ie THE QUOTES, PROPOSALS AND OR LATER ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION.THE FLOOR RUNS THE MOTH ORDER NOT MOTH INDIVIDUALS OR EITHER THE FULL EXECUTIVE, NO ONE HAS SOLE POWERS TO SPEND SHELLHOLE FUNDS.

Nb THE MOTH ORDER AT ALL LEVELS IS RUN BY MOTH IN THE COLUMNS.

NO MOTH IS EVER GIVEN SOLE POWER TO EXECUTE ANY TRANSACTIONS

READERS PLEASE BE AWARE - SOME MOTH OVER THE YEARS WERE

CONVICTED FOR FINGERS IN THE TILL DISHONESTY

THEREAFTER EXCRUMINICATED OUT OF THE MOTH ORDER
K.I.S S. ACCOUNTING - ARMY STYLE.

*-Keep it simple stupid-* Nb (The job is not done till the paper-work is finished)

.As a rule of thumb, petty cash must be on-hand for all on-going expenses using a float with a sufficient amount to cover and fulfill minor day to day expenses.

Army style type accounting for petty cash needs works well and always easily audited.

Spending example - Subtract expenses from the float.

Obtain cash slips from suppliers with an official stamp or if a printed invoice must include the suppliers full details, included a full description of the transactions goods or services supplied signed and dated by the supplier.

All slips must be counter signed and dated by you the receiver then compiled in date order with all the other slips where applicable.

A separate statement is to be created by you in support of all slip transactions in date order with accumulated total and for the separate occurrence items.

This military type accounting supported by slips in your possession with your signature and dated, then reflected on your own separate sheet is necessary simple arithmetic.

Receiving or collecting money example.

This above method using addition for funds received either sales or donations must have a running total. Record who, what, when, why and how much details, signed and dated by you is constantly available for banking and or auditing. -The key simple and honest-.
*Nb (The jobs not done till the paper-work is completed)*.

Regular banking is most important ensuring up-to-date bank statements ongoing.

Shellhole accountant/auditor are required to authorize your expenses or collections then presented with smart-edge format to be an acceptable compilation.

*You don’t have to be an accountant to do simple military arithmetic*.

*THIS WRITERS WISH*

To all readers of my MOTH story - Enjoy a Happy and Long Life in MOTHDOM.

Keep your MOTH OATH of (TC-MH-SM) and Rites Rituals and Traditions alive always
*WRITERS PERSONAL DETAILS*.

- (Certificate of Comradeship) and (Past Old Bill of Reveille Shellhole) -

-Life Member Reveille Shellhole- -Past District (Sgt/Maj)-

-Past Trustee of Cosy Corner-

Life Membership of S.A.Legion previously known as British Empire Service League

*Life Member of the Sappers Association*

*Life Member Gunners Association*

. Cell No- 079 136 136 3

6 MOTH COTTAGES

2 Zeeman Street

Brenthurst,Brakpan,Gauteng.

1541.

Republic of South Africa

*CREDITS*

The material included in this dissertation collected verbally over the years from Soldiers, Legionnaires and MOTHS either word of mouth including instruction from various WW1 and WW2 MOTH friends in Rhodesia and later in South Africa.

MOTH knowledge also gained from our MOTH Magazine (HOME FRONT) and extensive use of the MOTH Constitution and Standing Orders over the past 43 years officiating and participating in MOTH parades.

Many articles by me to Home Front were written under my synonym ‘Cobra’ often my articles were complimented on for my input by the then Editor.

On-going Training Bill at Reveille Shellhole or often Sgt/Maj now for well over 30 years.

My self motivation in various Military studies and research includes MOTHDOM

Never forgetting inspiration and wisdom drawn from Evo’s book

‘ Old Soldiers Never Die’

Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa

‘Springbok’ journal of South African Legion of Military Veterans.

Poppy PRESS -The Royal British LEGION-

The world’s most notorious men

Numerous pamphlets and articles digested proudly over time seem to have stuck, others needing deserved originators credits can not be honestly given since mentally long eroded
*SPECIAL THANKS*

My story is dedicated to my wife Dorothy, our daughter Althea, our son Afton, his two sons Ryan and Tristan for their patience with my pig-headedness sticking to telling my MOTH story as my family have little or no interest in either my Army or Moth careers.

One day they may read this story and enjoy it as much as I have writing it for my friends.
*ANOTHER THANK YOU*.

A special thank you goes to our son-in-law Derek Kilian for giving me this Mecer lap-top and encouraging me to learn ‘all finger touch-typing’ eventually me telling my story.

Derek’s National service and call-ups were served in the SADF as an Eland Armoured Car Driver.

To Legionnaires, Juri Roos and Martin Blake for helping with editing and insertion on the MOTH Web-site.

All I needed to say now on record for whoever may be interested. 1^st February 2014